UNLABELLED The differentiation between exudates and transudates is the initial step in the analysis of pleural effusions as it often gives an indication of the underlying pathophysiologic process, the differential diagnosis, and the need for further investigations. Four classifications have been suggested in the literature: Light's criteria, serum-effusion albumin gradient, effusion cholesterol...

BACKGROUND According to the regulations of the National Health Act, all 'sudden and unexpected' deaths in South Africa should be referred to Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) for further investigation. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the final outcomes of forensic postmortem examinations in 'sudden and unexpected' adult deaths referred to Tygerberg FPS between 2001 and 2005. METHODS The st...

Over a period of 30 months (1 July 1986-31 December 1988) 57 cases of genital tuberculosis were diagnosed at Tygerberg Hospital. Forty of these cases were diagnosed as a result of routine screening in 650 patients who presented with infertility and the other 17 were diagnosed in patients admitted to the gynaecological wards. The prevalence in patients presenting with infertility was 6.15%. The ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immediate effect of hands-on training on the quality of technical skills of laboratory technicians. DESIGN Retrospective analytical study. SETTING Academic institutions and private infertility clinics. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and ten laboratory technicians. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) First, 110 participants from 16 African countries attend...

BACKGROUND An increase in autopsied community assault (CA) fatalities was observed at the Tygerberg Forensic Pathology Services (FPS), Cape Town, South Africa (SA). There is a paucity of information on the incidence and prevalence of these cases in SA. OBJECTIVES To determine the patterns and trends of injuries sustained in so-called CA fatalities. METHODS A retrospective and descriptive st...

BACKGROUND Current recommendations for spinal tuberculosis (TB) not requiring open surgery include core needle biopsy to confirm TB and determine drug sensitivity. International figures show the positive culture yield from core needle biopsies is 50 -- 83%.Objectives. To (i) assess the yield of percutaneous needle biopsies; (ii) identify factors that may lead to a negative result; and (iii) det...

This report describes a DNA amplification procedure for routine identification of heat-labile-toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Two oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction procedure to amplify a highly conserved region of the A subunit of the heat-labile enterotoxin gene. Amplifications were done directly on E. coli colonies from plates when Salmonella, Shigella, or par...

A series of 36 Black and Coloured patients, presenting during a 1-year period with life-endangering intrathoracic trauma secondary to assault, is presented. Penetrating wounds of the heart were documented in 32 of these patients, 6 of whom died almost immediately after having been brought into the Resuscitation Unit of Tygerberg Hospital, Parowvallei, CP. The remaining 26 patients had clinical ...

BACKGROUND Although a few studies have investigated delays in diagnosis and treatment among children and adolescents with cancer, this has never been subject of study in South Africa. Early diagnosis is fundamental as it allows timely treatment and prevents unnecessary complications. PROCEDURES Combined prospective and retrospective study of 194 children with cancer at Tygerberg Hospital, Cap...